Home Birth

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I'll remember that. Good reason to get the family to do stuff for me.

That is a really good point. I tend to feel on top of the world and full of energy (manic!) right after I give birth, and do at home, I did all kind of stuff instead of resting. The tiredness hits later, when there is no time to rest -which is why a hospital birth was good third time: I was forced to rest/there was nothing to do but stare at the baby!
I have never used medications giving birth, but was close to doing it the third time. I think the pain was worse, because I was in an unknown setting and had a hard time relaxing. (In the end the midwife did acupuncture AND IT WORKED! )
In a perfect world, I would give birth at home, and THEN go to hospital (lol) for 3 days to get away from house work and the other kids. Not that my husband isn't helpfull, I just have a hard time not doing things!
Giving birth at home is very peacefull, relaxed, and undisturbed. Your senses are ultra sensitive when giving birth. I could smell, and was disgusted by, my neighbours brewing coffee in the flat downstairs at one home birth. In that respect a hospital birth is worse.
One thing to remember is that you don't have help with things like breastfeeding if you have a home birth. I always thought breastfeeding would be easy, and it surprised me how hard it was to get it right. Waiting 12 hours for a nurse to come to your home and help is a long time, if you are having problems

In the system where I live the midwife doesn't leave till you have baby breast-feeding, and she comes back 5 times over next 2 weeks to be sure everything is still going ok.
And apparently it's easier to get babies to breast-fed at home. And especially without painkilling medication, which also effects baby.
Meeting the Midwife this evening. Very nervous.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Anyone who wants to help me out by the way...

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/iris ... res-1.html

Help us get Home Birth back available after March! Please?

A midwife would be a good idea, if you want a home birth.

I just had my baby, at the hospital, and they managed to screw it up. If I could do it again, I'd probably use a midwife.

I just got one. Met her this evening. So happy!
Definitely going to do it if the insurance thing in the country doesn't fall apart.
She seems very very good.
She spent more time wit me than the private specialist I paid. What a waste.

No advice to add, other than I'm not pregnant and don't plan on being pregnant for a few years, but when I do have kids I'm very much leaning towards home birth. So thanks for this thread!!

Advice to YOU then? Don't let others bully you out of it over 'safety'.

I always knew it was what I wanted, and ever time I said so people would smile indulgently. But when I got pregnant, they all got cross and told me how it was selfish to put my baby at risk over a few 'small issues' I would have in hospital. I finally gave into the pressure, and went to a normal specialist to arrange the birth in hospital like anyone would do. I tried to explain my problems to him, and my concerns about what things would be very difficult, hoping they could compromise. His exact words were:
"Don't worry, we'll normalize you. I'll treat you like every single other woman who comes in here."
And then he ushered me out. I arrived at my mothers house in tears, inconsolable. When she saw how upset I was she called the Health Board about home births, just to calm me down for a few minutes I think.
But when the information came, it showed with statistics that it was as safe if not safer than the alternative.
I have finally taken matters into my own hands, letting only the husband have a say in the decision, and we finalized the plan and met the new midwife last night.

A lot of people still disapprove of me. (Young People. The grans don't mind at all. It is more normal to them.) I have been called selfish, and told I will not be forgiven if my selfishness kills my baby. (That was my own sister)

So advice for you in a few years? Don't listen to others being critical. You'll only upset yourself needlessly. Do the research into how safe it is for mother and baby in YOUR area first, and THEN you can ask the people you really trust for an opinion if you want. But don't let yourself be bullied like I did.

I hate people like that... and don't they realise that 'treating you like everyone else' is NOT what you're going to need?! You have extra issues to deal with on top of the fact that you're in labour and trying to get a baby out. Seems a bit counter-intuitive?!